Skaftarhreppur

Province · Southern Region, 🇮🇸 Iceland

Population 627

Area 6,897 km²

Time zone Atlantic/Reykjavik

Official website www.klaustur.is

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Featured Lists

Wojciech Strzelecki "Wojtrix" / CC BY-SA 4.0

Skaftárhreppur Essentials

Skaftárhreppur encompasses a diverse landscape shaped by the massive 1783 Laki eruption and the resulting Eldhraun lava field. This region features the 100-meter deep Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, the columnar basalt formations of Kirkjugólf and Dverghamrar, and the dramatic 688-meter Lómagnúpur mountain. Visitors can explore the Eldgjá volcanic fissure, home to the two-tiered Ófærufoss waterfall, and the historic village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, which serves as a gateway to Vatnajökull National Park and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.

13 places

47Mhg491Vgb / CC BY-SA 2.0

Natural Wonders of South Iceland

This collection explores the dramatic geological landscape of Skaftárhreppur, shaped by the catastrophic 1783 Laki eruption. It features the 200-meter deep Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, the subglacial Katla volcano, and the vast Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Highlights include unique basalt formations at Kirkjugólf, the moss-covered volcanic cone of Mælifell, and numerous waterfalls such as the tiered Ófærufoss and the wind-swept Foss á Síðu. The area showcases the powerful intersection of active volcanic fissures and ancient glacial erosion.

15 places

Silvia D Gtz / CC-BY-SA

Breathtaking Viewpoints

This collection features the geological highlights of the Skaftárhreppur region, centered around the impact of the 1783 Laki eruption. It includes the 100-meter deep Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, the expansive moss-covered Skaftáreldahraun lava fields, and the Laki volcanic fissure consisting of 130 craters. The list also highlights the green rhyolite cone of Mælifell rising from black sand plains and the Álftaversgígar pseudocraters, formed by steam explosions when lava met wetlands.

8 places

Historic Icelandic Churches

This collection highlights the religious heritage of the Skaftárhreppur region, featuring structures that range from rare 17th-century turf architecture to early 20th-century concrete designs. The list includes the historic site of the Þykkvabæjarklaustur monastery and small rural parish churches like those at Prestbakki and Kálfafell. These landmarks illustrate the evolution of Icelandic building techniques and the endurance of local communities amidst a landscape shaped by volcanic activity and glacial floods.

6 places

Accommodations in the Area

This selection covers diverse accommodation options in the Skaftárhreppur region, from modern hotels like Fosshotel Núpar with views of Vatnajökull to remote mountain huts such as Jökulheimar on the glacier's edge. The list includes campsites in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, traditional farm-based hotels like Hótel Laki, and accessible alpine huts near the Eldgjá canyon and Langisjór lake.

10 places